On a recent Saturday about 3:30 a.m, St. Charles Tavern was selling a crisp and tender soft shell crab on herb focaccia with a tart remoulade sauce. There aren’t many spots in the city that have such high-end food offerings a few hours before dawn.

While at times hit or miss, the food often hits, and most customers are less discerning when loaded with alcohol and presented with options such as jambalaya, catfish, ribeye steak and eggs, a loaded baked potato, boudin, or a generous portion of red beans and sausage in the wee hours of the morning.

The food drives customers to the bar, especially beginning around 11 p.m., when most other restaurants have shuttered and hungry hospitality workers from throughout the area begin to get off their shifts.

Tip: The tavern offers food delivery from 11 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. It also has three-for-one well drinks on Wednesdays between 2 and 6 p.m.

Location: 1433 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, 504.523.9823

Open: 24 hours. Parking: Lot.

Prices: Beer, $3.50-$6.25; wine, $5-$7; cocktails, $5-$8.25.

Crowd: Tourists heading down St. Charles Avenue during the day often stop in for some New Orleans-style fare. As the evening rolls on, locals begin to stop by after service industry shifts, and then the late-night food cravings of locals and tourists alike give the spot an undeniable allure.